Posts Tagged ‘wine’

Fall is Here!

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Orange on Blue

Orange on Blue

It’s official!  The Village is coming alive with the yellows, oranges and reds that we’ve come to expect during this time of year.  Whether you’re here to shop, dine, or make good use of our fabulous trail system, you’ll be in for an ocular treat.

Red Beauty

Red Beauty

Take pictures…LOTS of pictures!  The brick buildings on campus, nestled in the colorful, seasonal backdrop, are quite stunning. 

Autumn @ LFC

Autumn @ LFC

No fall excursion to The Village would be complete without some hot cocoa, coffee, hard cider, or mulled wine from one of our fine purveyors of beverage.

Rainbow Ivy

Rainbow Ivy

Before long, however, the vibrant spectacle will give way to bare branches…the very reason we call this season fall.  Don’t fret!  You can still enjoy the crunching leaves underfoot, as you scuffle your way inside to warm yourself up :)

End of Autumn

End of Autumn

Village Stuff: Matterhorn Grill

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Matterhorn Grill

John grills like a pro.

So…I finally tried the Matterhorn Dinner @ TASTES of Black Star Farms in The Mercato.  It was awesome!  I told my friend, John, that I was giving him the gift of Matterhorn for Christmas (so I could try it, too), and we just recently got around to making a reservation.

Kevin & Caren brought us a huge plate full of ham, sausages, potatoes, bread, fresh veggies, apples, & Leelanau Cheese Company’s famous raclette cheese, along with some pearl onions, pickles & garlic to cleanse our palates.  Each of us were also given 3 (very generous) samples of wine.  And…we were off!

In no time, we had the grill loaded up with lots of goodies, and flipped them while we sipped our wine.  After the food was browned to our liking, we stuffed the raclette into the melting pans, and slid them under the grill.  This, my friends, is where the magic happens.  Raclette is delicious pretty much anytime, but when it’s melted, it’s heavenly.  So, we unloaded the grill onto our plates, and poured the cheese all over everything.  A dash of salt; a few turns of the pepper grinder…hold on, I’m still chewing…AMAZING!!!  I believe my favorite “taste combo” was bread + apple + cheese + pepper.  Mmmm.

Dinner was so much fun :)  We grilled, we drank, we ate, & we laughed, never bothering anyone, since we were nestled in a semi-secluded nook inside the tasting room.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone who would like more of a hands-on adventure for dinner.  It’s reminiscent of a fondue party, but with pouring rather than dunking.

Dinner for 2 is $50, and includes all of the aforementioned items.  The tables can seat up to 6.  Reservations are recommended, due to limited seating.  Stop by TASTES or call 231.944.1349 to reserve your table.  It’s so yummy.

Another Busy Saturday @ The Commons

Friday, February 5th, 2010
Indoor Farmers Market (10am-2pm)
As always, local farmers bring a wide selection of deliciously wholesome produce and farm products to The Mercato. Take home the freshest apples, salad greens, and earthy crops. Savor the taste of delicious jams and jellies, artisan cheese, farm-fresh milk, cream and eggs, free-range meats, and the best croissants in town! Plus: Silvertree Deli will have 10% off wine and Pleasanton starts baking pizzas @ noon!

Pac Choi, Bok Choy, & Pak Choi are all different spellings for the same vegetable. Whichever name you use, it's the ultimate green veggie for stir-fries.

Cooking Demos @ TASTES (11am & Noon)
Stop by TASTES of Black Star Farms, during the Farmers Market for free, farm-fresh cooking demonstrations!  Their visiting chef will be preparing a delectable dish using local ingredients, with a recipe to go.  Taste test the dish with a wine sample for $3.  231.944.1349

Come visit Kevin @ TASTES...he's always good for a story, and he can tell you exactly how they get those pears in the bottles.

Essential Oil & Aromatherapy Class (3-4pm)
Anna Sangemino from Creation Farm is offering a free class, to educate you in the use of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.  Normally these free classes are held on Friday, but due to popular demand, Anna had decided to offer an encore presentation!  The topic:  Coping with the dryness of Winter heating, and comforting all your body’s systems during the dry, indoor winter season.  Class will be held in Suite 25 in The Mercato, by The Silvertree Deli.  231.352.9600

Lavender is one of the many essential oils for health & well being, that Creation Farm offers.

 See you in The Mercato!

Snow Fun in The Village!

Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Snowshoeing on the Village Lawn

Snowshoeing on the Village Lawn

Looking for something fun to do with the fam?  Something to rid you of that Cabin Fever?  Something FREE??? 

Come on over to our place!  We have a huge front lawn & a GIANT back yard (480 acres of preserved parkland), perfect for snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, sledding, snow sculpture building, dog walking, and more.  Plus, we’re right in town…closer than you think.

Man-made Mountains for Sledding

Occasionally, while hiking along Kid’s Creek, you can catch a glimpse of rabbits, woodpeckers and other birds, or even deer.  Our wildlife is pretty tame…Lucy the squirrel may even walk up and ask for a Payday.  (She’s a bit spoiled.)

Pileated Woodpeckers

Pileated Woodpeckers

After you’ve had your winter fun, you can warm up with a coffee or cocoa from Cuppa Joe or Higher Grounds, some vino at Left Foot Charley or TASTES of Black Star Farms, or some hot, homemade soup from The Silvertree Deli or Underground Cheesecake Company :)  Happy trails!

Recess on Our Playground

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Recess Time!

This Wednesday (Jan 27th) from 5-8pm,  is Recess in The Mercato! Come on over for an evening of relaxation, networking, and socializing at the Traverse City Business News‘ monthly Recess. Enjoy great food from Village eateries, vino from the Wineries of Leelanua Peninsula, and live music with Ronnie Hernandez, plus the chance to win some great Village prizes, including a “Tunnel to Spires” Tour! $5 Cover.